The ASU water ski team entered the Western Regional Tournament in Bakersfield, Calif., over the weekend wanting to put together a good showing before the Collegiate National Tournament on Oct. 14.
The team accomplished its mission as it left the tourney winning every single team and individual event.
"It was a really good tournament for us," said head coach David Phillips. "I really can't say enough. I believe that (the team) believes we can win nationals this year. In years past I don't believe they believed it."
The Sun Devils won their only national championship in 2001. This year will mark the team's 10th consecutive national tournament appearance.
Sophomore Brody Reid took first in both men's slalom and men's tricks in the tournament. He also won the men's overall title. Senior Jimmy Townsend won the men's jumping event and got second place overall.
The women did just as well, if not better than the men, also winning every event.
Sophomore Caroline Wolfe won the women's slalom and jumping events as well as the overall title. Senior Renae Wadnal won women's tricks. But, the most impressive stat was the ASU women took first through fifth place in all three events.
Wolfe said the tournament was a way to prepare for stiffer competition at nationals.
"It's a warm-up for us," she said. "We want to represent ASU as best as we can at the national tournament."
In addition to all of the individual titles, the Sun Devils won the combined title, their 10th consecutive regional championship.
Senior Pat O'Brien took fifth in the men's overall competition and fourth in both slalom and jumping. He said he was pleased with his final regional performance, but excited for the national competition.
"It wasn't my best skiing ever, but I put up solid scores," he said. "For the next week and a half I'm going to be out there everyday, preparing for nationals as much as possible."
For freshman Jenna Sligar, her first regional competition was a good one. She took second place in tricks and fifth in jumping.
Sligar said she wanted to help the team whatever way she could, even though she wasn't the most experienced skier on the water.
"I've worked pretty hard at tricks for a long time," she said. "I wanted to help out my team. We all want to do our best for our team. If we all do our best, we have a good shot of winning nationals."
Senior Jimmy Siemers, the reigning World Champion, did not compete in the regional tournament.
Phillips said Siemers, who has been recovering from a knee injury, would compete for the team in the national tournament.
"Jimmy is coming back whole and healthy," Phillips said. "No one is injured, our health is solid. I think we're ready for nationals."
The top three teams in the region advance to the national tournament. Sacramento State and San Diego State will join ASU as the Western Regional representatives.
Phillips said he felt that this year was the time to win the championship, since many of the team's top skiers are in their final year of eligibility.
"Next year we won't be quite as stacked as this year," he said. "It would be big to win it this year. It's within our reach."
Nationals will be held in Zachary, La., through Oct. 16. ASU is one of 12 teams competing for the Division I championship.
The defending national champion, Louisiana-Lafay-ette, is considered one of the favorites, along with ASU and Louisiana-Monroe.
Reach the reporter at jeremy.a.cluff@asu.edu.
